From Echuca’s women’s side making five consecutive grand finals, winning the past two, to Echuca United’s dominance of the girls’ league last season, the female game has been going from strength to strength in Echuca-Moama.
The next generation is set to continue that trend this weekend as the two undefeated sides in the 2025 Goulburn Murray Girls competition’s season, Moama and Echuca United, face off at Echuca South Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
Former Mathoura boss Tim McCormick has taken charge of the Eagles for the new year, after a season where the Eagles swept away all before them.
While some of that title-winning squad has moved on this season, McCormick has plenty of praise for his remaining group and the new faces that have joined this year.
“It's been very much a learning curve for me, I suppose, getting in at this level, but seeing the improvement in the eight or 10 weeks of pre-season has just been amazing,” he said.
“Watching them go at it on game day, there's no quarter given.
“They put their head over the footy, and it's great to see.”
On the other side of the Murray, Kate Christie has taken the reins at Moama, leading the youth girls, but also the Magpies’ burgeoning under-14s side.
An umpire with 25 years’ experience in the region, Christie has managed to attract several new players to both squads, including some from the former champion Eagles.
“Last season the girls were struggling every week in regards to numbers,” she said.
“They probably had about 12 to 14 every week, and so they were borrowing players left, right and centre just to keep the girls going, or they'd forfeit.
“This year with the 14s program and introducing a female coach, we've managed to get some new girls to the game.
“We've got a couple of netballers that we've picked up from Moama, Echuca Bombers and also Echuca United that have come across and are absolutely loving their football for something new.
“We've also got a couple of girls who have never played football before or any type of sport who have jumped into the game and are absolutely loving it.
“So it's just one of those environments that we've created that's a heap of fun, and they just love having a kick.”
For both coaches, growing and developing their young squads is a top priority as they look to further strengthen the women’s game locally, McCormick identifying development as his number one focus.
“At the end of the day, my role is to try and get as much out of the girls (as I can) and get them to develop even more,” he said.
“We've got one girl on our squad this year that's with the Bendigo Pioneers.
“If we can get two or three others up that list in the coming years, that's what it's all about, seeing their development and improvement and, fingers crossed, going further and further with their footy.”
Christie said the veteran players in her squad, including captain Ella Plattfuss and vice-captains Shaleah Cooper and Ruby McLeod, had played a key role in helping bring on the newer players.
“All different ages, all different players, all different personalities and they've just taken on the role amazingly,” she said.
“Full credit to those girls who have (taken) my young ones who have had no idea capabilities-wise, and have just taken them under their wings, and they’ve just grown them into really strong young footballers.
“They're going to be absolute jets this team, even just developing every week.”
A face-off with the local rivals should prove a blockbuster clash for both clubs, even outside the high stakes of the league standings.
“Echuca United will be a test for us this week,” Christie said.
“They've got some great young girls that have got a long time in youth girls’ football and I think our girls will be feeling the pressure first up, but I can't see why they can't get the job done.”
When the Eagles’ first fixture was postponed, McCormick had a chance to scout this week’s opposition, and was impressed with what he saw.
“They moved the ball pretty well, so they're a well coached and drilled team by the look of them on that first game,” he said.
“We're looking forward to hopefully a very even game and I suppose on the day it'll tell who wants a footy more, who kicks straightest.
“I think we kicked 9.16 or something like that on the weekend, so it'd be nice to turn that accuracy around a little bit.”
The GMGL clash between Echuca United and Moama will get under way from 12.30pm on Sunday at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
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